Design and evaluation of a 1H/31P double-resonant helmet coil for 3T MRI of the brain

Phys Med Biol. 2019 Jan 22;64(3):035003. doi: 10.1088/1361-6560/aaf9e2.

Abstract

Proton magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be combined with signals from non-proton nuclei (X-nuclei) to provide metabolic information. Double-resonant coils are often used for X-nuclei MR studies where the proton element is employed for scout imaging and B 0 shimming. This work describes the development of a new double-resonant coil capable of operating at both proton and X-nuclei frequencies. The proposed design extends the wheel-and-spoke coil, which allows for quadrature drive, by adding an extra ring outside the coil to achieve double-resonance. Furthermore, in order to maximise SNR by increasing the filling factor, the shape of the coil has been modified to a helmet style making it suitable for brain applications. The performance of the double-resonant helmet coil was evaluated by simulation and MR measurements. The helmet coil was successfully tuned to the 1H/31P resonance frequencies of a 3T MR scanner, with high isolation between the two quadrature ports. MR measurements of a phantom were carried out, and the averaged sensitivity of the double-resonant helmet coil over the whole phantom was found to be higher than that of the conventional double-tuned birdcage coil at both frequencies.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Brain / diagnostic imaging*
  • Equipment Design
  • Head Protective Devices*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / instrumentation*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Protons
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio

Substances

  • Protons